We do not of course agree with the spirit of
Mr. Ramsay Macdonald's criticisms, and we think that his references to what he called conscription were particularly unfair, for ho should surely know that no one advocates anything which can by any possibility be fairly described as conscription. Hut though we do not agree with Mr. Ramsay Macdonald, we think Mr. Balfour was perfectly right in insisting on the very grave importance of his speech. If, as Mr. Ramsay Macdonald declares, the Trade-Union and Labour leaders dislike the new scheme, although they are perfectly willing_ to tolerate, or even to approve of, the existing Volunteer system, then there seems to us the gravest reason for not forcing Mr. Haldane's proposals on the nation by the mechanical operation of the Liberal majority. We wish we bad space to dwell upon Mr. Long's very sensible and very moderate criticisms of the scheme, and especially upon his grave misgivings as to its effect upon the Yeomanry. We cannot, however, do more than note his objections, and also those of Mr. Bennett, who gave the House his experience of the effect of the Bill on the recruiting of Volunteers.
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